Rising church attendance in Connecticut

Bridgeport, Conn., Apr 12, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Despite
a widespread priestly sexual abuse scandal which has shaken the
Catholic Church in the U.S. over recent years, Mass attendance is
actually on the rise in a number of dioceses. In the Diocese of
Bridgeport, Connecticut for example, attendance at 87 parishes is up by
14 percent this year, reported WTNH TV.

Diocesan
officials say they can't pinpoint why exactly attendance is up other
than the fact that priests in the diocese have been working hard to
reach out to their church communities with different programs and
activities to nurture the faith.

Msgr. William
Shultz told WTNH TV that the diocese had to rebuild the faith of the
community after the 2001 sexual abuse scandal. He said it involved much
dialogue and reconciliation.

"I hope they
realize we all need faith and Christ in our lives, especially when you
look around the world and see what's happening," the monsignor told the
television station.

The nearby Archdiocese of Hartford says it has also seen an increase in attendance.